Columbia to restore ragtime pioneer's home

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- The city of Columbia will spend $326,000 to repair the former home of pioneering ragtime composer J.W. "Blind" Boone.

The Columbia Missourian (bit.ly/112x20F ) reports the City Council approved the funding this week to renovate the interior and build a garden at the downtown building.

The city plans to use the home as a cultural heritage center once repairs are complete. A nonprofit group hopes to hold concerts and exhibits there as well.

Columbia Mayor Bob McDavid had previously proposed using one-fourth of a nearly $2 million budget surplus to finish restoring the Boone home. The city bought the property in 2000 for about $163,000. Exterior renovations were completed in 2009 using Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau money, as well as private donations.

Boone died in 1927.

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Information from: Columbia Missourian, http://www.columbiamissourian.com